by Anjali S., 15
“The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.” – Michael Van Doren
To be able to wake up every day and realize that your simple existence can be a privilege requires one to be extremely reflective. To understand that the simple act of moving out at 18 for university is a dream for some individuals makes one an omniscient person. To want to dedicate your life to helping these individuals achieve their dreams, no matter how insignificant they might seem, makes one an honorable person with great morals. This is who Kaylin Torres is—a person who is always willing to help and thinks of others and their happiness.
According to Self-Determination Theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000), human behavior has three primary motivators: Autonomy, the need to have control and choice over one’s action; Competence, the need to feel capable and effective; and Relatedness, the need for social connection and interaction with others. For Kaylin Torres, the realization that not everyone can gain these feelings led her to help create the Blue Dot foundation with her sister, Lauren Payes, and best friend, Chrissy D’Amico. Kaylin has helped create an inclusive community where there is nothing but love fostered. Her journey leading up to the creation of the foundation and her work at the foundation is truly noble.
Kaylin began her journey in the field of education as a special education teacher. She initially worked with teenagers in high school, after which she started doing therapy sessions with children who needed help. Her journey took a turn when she transitioned to working with adults.
“I just really enjoy working with that population and teaching life skills,” she said.
She started the Blue Dot Foundation to create something that would answer the question: “What kind of a life would a person want to live?” The environment at Blue Dot is homey and welcoming, and here, every individual is taught how to live a “well-balanced rounded life.” This balanced life would include recognizing the importance of being mentally and physically fit. At Blue Dot, there is a great mix of learning and enjoying, and this perfectly maintained balance allows its community members to create this balance.
Having worked with both teenagers and adults, Kaylin has been able to recognize the varied levels of maturity between both age groups. A stigma that is quite prominent is the preconceived belief that neurodivergent adults “have plateaued.” However, Kaylin has had a front-row seat to know how that is not true. She continued to say that “there is a level of maturity that comes and a level of growth that just continues to happen.”
Earlier, the belief that to be successful one had to be neurotypical has led to the unfair and incorrect stereotype that a neurodivergent person is not intellectual or does not have any talent. In fact, many neurodivergent people excel in areas such as art, music, science, and technology, and their unique perspectives in different situations allow for growth and innovation in various fields. Kaylin and the Blue Dot Foundation are trying to show the world the strengths these individuals possess. With every person she is able to educate, she is changing perceptions and helping break a deep-rooted stigma.
The beginning of her day revolves around scheduling the day with the adults and thinking over different variables, like what they have to do and what they would like to do. For Kaylin, the personal connection is an extremely important feeling she likes to foster between everyone. She wants everyone to know that there are people who care for them, love them, and want to know more about them as individuals with personalities and hobbies beyond their disabilities. Her day is the perfect balance of fun and learning with morning gratitude, focus on relationships, mental well-being, pool parties, and book readings.
Her favorite part of the day is the community connection, where she meets and interacts with all the community members. Being a mother to four kids, she has inculcated the values of love and service to each of her children, who also actively participate in various activities conducted by the foundation.
Her teachings are aimed at educating everyone about the perfect balance of life. She empowers community members to take charge of their lives and helps them become the best version of themselves. Her ability to look at the best in people and treat them with nothing but love and respect is truly commendable.
She lives her life inspired by the quote, “Let’s see what happens next.” For her, it’s a reminder not to get too wound up in the future but to focus on the present. She recognizes that the only way we can change perception is to educate the people. She is a person who gives back to the community and who impacts hundreds of lives with the work that she does.
Bridge Ink 